Malvazia Candida
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Virtually indefinite; these robustly fortified and oxidized wines can be cellared and enjoyed for 50 to 100+ years.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Dark chocolate desserts, artisanal blue cheeses, roasted nuts and dried figs
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Malvazia Candida represents the historical pinnacle of sweet Madeira. Originally brought to the island from Crete (then known as Candia) in the 15th century under the patronage of Prince Henry the Navigator, this legendary grape variety became the source of the highly prized, luscious nectars favored by European monarchs and immortalized by Shakespeare. Over the centuries, Malvazia Candida became exceedingly rare due to its low yields and susceptibility to disease, making surviving bottlings from Pereira D'Oliveira highly coveted treasures. D'Oliveira ages this rich, sweet wine using the traditional canteiro system in seasoned oak casks stored in warm lofts. This slow, natural oxidative process, combined with the grape's naturally high acidity, creates an extraordinarily complex profile of molasses, dark chocolate, dried figs, and exotic spices, balanced by a vibrant, clean finish.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1850 by João Pereira d'Oliveira, Pereira D'Oliveira is an independent, family-owned Madeira house based in the historic heart of Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Currently managed by the fifth generation of the D'Oliveira family, the house is legendary for its unparalleled library of extremely rare, old vintage Madeiras dating back to the mid-19th century. Their wines are aged traditionally in seasoned oak casks using the canteiro method, allowing them to develop extraordinary complexity, vibrant acidity, and legendary longevity. The house is highly revered for its exceptional, single-harvest expressions of noble varieties including Sercial, Verdelho, Boal, Malvasia, and the rare Terrantez.